CULTIVATION AND IRRIGATION 



85 



to give a strong vertical stroke which penetrates well, and one can- 

 not waltz along the rows whistling a lively tune, as is quite possible 

 while weed-cutting in moist soil in February. 



There is little grace, we admit, in the attitude of the Italian 

 market gardener, as he straddles the row, arches his back and 

 grunts as he sends his heavy mattock its full depth into the soil 

 around the plants. The American with his fine, new, full-width, 

 bronze-shanked, green-labeled, steel hoe, marching along the rows, 

 touching the soil with disdain as ill worth exertion on his part, is a 

 much handsomer picture. But the Italian's plants laugh at drought. 

 When irrigated the soil takes water like a sponge and it goes plump 

 down to the roots of the plant. Irrigate the shallow-hoed plat ; a 

 pailful will run a rod and the plant root gets but the gurgle of the 

 water as it flows along the surface of the hard-pan just beneath the 

 dust. 



Evidently, if one begins early in the season with deep hoeing, the 

 midsummer tussle with hard-pan will be obviated. This is really 

 the lesson to be learned. 



CULTIVATION AND IRRIGATION. 



All that has been said about the relations of tillage to reception 

 and conservation of moisture from rainfall is of equal truth as 

 related to moisture derived from irrigation. Soils not readily ab- 

 sorptive must be opened by proper tillage to receive the waterflow. 

 Such is the service rendered by the furrow system in addition to its 

 furnishing channels for the flow. Soils naturally open will take 

 water as well, and sometimes better, by other methods, as has 

 already been explained. But by whatever means water is brought 

 to the soil the conservation of the water depends largely upon the 

 prevention of surface evaporation which not only releases moisture 

 but turns the upper soil into a pavement which is fatal to shallow- 

 rooting plants. Therefore let the plow follow the irrigation, if it is 

 fall or winter irrigation for the preparation of a seed bed, and let 

 the cultivator do its work finely and to sufficient depth if it is sum- 

 mer irrigation for advanced plant growth. Do not let the irrigated 

 land lie until it yields clods to the cultivator. Seize it soon, as good 

 tilth waits on stirring ; "and when 'tis done then 'twere well it were 

 done quickly." 



